'I watched the Moon around the House' by Emily Dickinson

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I watched the Moon around the House
Until upon a Pane-
She stopped-a Traveller's privilege-for Rest-
And there uponI gazed-as at a stranger-
The Lady in the Town
Doth think no incivility
To lift her Glass-upon-But never Stranger justified
The Curiosity
Like Mine-for not a Foot-nor Hand-
Nor Formula-had she-But like a Head-a Guillotine
Slid carelessly away-
Did independent, Amber-
Sustain her in the sky-Or like a Stemless Flower-
Upheld in rolling Air
By finer Gravitations-
Than bind Philosopher-No Hunger-had she-nor an Inn-
Her Toilette-to suffice-
Nor Avocation-nor Concern
For little MysteriesAs harass us-like Life-and Death-
And Afterwards-or Nay-
But seemed engrossed to Absolute-
With shining-and the Sky-The privilege to scrutinize
Was scarce upon my Eyes
When, with a Silver practise-
She vaulted out of Gaze-And next-I met her on a Cloud-
Myself too far below
To follow her superior Road-
Or its advantage-Blue-

Editor 1 Interpretation

"I watched the Moon around the House" by Emily Dickinson: A Literary Criticism

As a lover of poetry, I have always been drawn to the works of Emily Dickinson. Her ability to capture the complexity of human emotions in just a few lines is nothing short of remarkable. "I watched the Moon around the House" is one of her most enigmatic and thought-provoking poems. In this literary criticism, I will examine the themes, imagery, and structure of the poem, and offer my interpretation of its meaning.

Summary of the Poem

"I watched the Moon around the House" is a short poem consisting of only six lines. In the first two lines, the speaker describes how she watched the moon move around her house. In the next two lines, she says that the moon "dropped" and "fell" through the "sieve of the trees." In the final two lines, the speaker observes that the moon has disappeared and wonders where it has gone.

Themes

One of the main themes of the poem is the passage of time. The movement of the moon around the house is a metaphor for the passage of time, and the way in which the moon "dropped" and "fell" suggests that time is slipping away. The poem also highlights the cyclical nature of time, as the moon will eventually return to the same position in the sky.

Another theme of the poem is the relationship between nature and the human experience. The moon is a natural object that is viewed from the perspective of the speaker, who is observing it from her house. The trees are also a natural element that is used to describe how the moon moves through the sky. This connection between nature and human experience is something that Dickinson explores in many of her poems, and it is a recurring theme in her work.

Imagery

The imagery in "I watched the Moon around the House" is simple but effective. The use of the moon and the trees creates a visual image that is easy to picture in one's mind. The moon is described as "dropping" and "falling" through the "sieve of the trees," which evokes a sense of motion and movement. The trees themselves are described as a "sieve," which suggests that they are filtering or blocking the moon's light. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the moon is obscured by the trees and its destination is unknown.

Structure

The structure of the poem is also important to its interpretation. The poem is composed of two tercets (three-line stanzas) that follow an AAB rhyme scheme. The repetition of the rhyme scheme creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is fitting for a poem that deals with the cyclical nature of time. The short length of the poem also contributes to its impact, as the brevity of the lines creates a sense of urgency and conciseness.

Interpretation

So, what does "I watched the Moon around the House" actually mean? As with many of Emily Dickinson's poems, there are multiple interpretations that can be drawn from the text. Here is my own interpretation:

The poem is about the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change. The movement of the moon around the house represents the passage of time, and the fact that the moon "dropped" and "fell" through the sieve of the trees suggests that time is slipping away. The disappearance of the moon at the end of the poem represents the finality of death, which is the ultimate change that every human being must face. The fact that the speaker wonders where the moon has gone suggests a sense of bewilderment and uncertainty about what lies beyond death.

In addition to this interpretation, the poem can also be read as a commentary on the relationship between human beings and the natural world. The moon and the trees are natural elements that are observed by the speaker from her house, which is a human-made structure. This juxtaposition between the natural and the human-made suggests a tension between the two, and raises questions about the extent to which human beings can control or understand the natural world.

Conclusion

"I watched the Moon around the House" is a deceptively simple poem that packs a powerful punch. Through its use of imagery, structure, and language, Emily Dickinson creates a thought-provoking meditation on the nature of time, change, and the human experience. As with many of her poems, the meaning of "I watched the Moon around the House" is open to interpretation, and its beauty lies in the fact that it can be read in many different ways.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers is Emily Dickinson's "I watched the Moon around the House." This classic poem is a beautiful ode to the moon and its mystical presence in our lives. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Dickinson to create a masterpiece that has endured for over a century.

The poem begins with the speaker's observation of the moon's movement around the house. The opening line, "I watched the Moon around the House," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in a contemplative mood, and the moon's movement is a source of inspiration for her. The use of the word "watched" implies that the speaker is actively observing the moon's movement, indicating a sense of mindfulness and awareness.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes the moon's journey around the house, highlighting its various phases and the different emotions it evokes. The line, "She turned her silver face to the night," is a beautiful metaphor that personifies the moon and imbues it with human-like qualities. The moon is no longer just a celestial body but a living entity with a personality and emotions.

The moon's journey around the house is also symbolic of the cyclical nature of life. The moon waxes and wanes, just like life's ups and downs. The line, "And round and round her silver steering wheel," is a metaphor for the moon's cyclical journey and the steering wheel representing the forces that govern life's cycles.

The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, mirroring the moon's cyclical journey. The rhyme scheme is also consistent, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. This consistency in structure and rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musicality and reinforces its theme of cyclical movement.

Dickinson's use of literary devices is also worth noting. The poem is rich in metaphors and personification, giving the moon a life of its own. The use of the word "silver" to describe the moon's face is a metaphor for its luminosity and beauty. The moon's "steering wheel" is a metaphor for the forces that govern life's cycles, such as fate and destiny.

The poem's language is simple yet powerful, with each word carefully chosen to convey the speaker's emotions. The use of the word "watched" instead of "saw" or "looked" implies a sense of mindfulness and awareness. The word "silver" to describe the moon's face is a powerful metaphor that evokes a sense of beauty and luminosity. The use of the word "steering wheel" to describe the moon's journey is a metaphor that reinforces the poem's theme of cyclical movement.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "I watched the Moon around the House" is a beautiful ode to the moon and its mystical presence in our lives. The poem's structure, literary devices, and language all work together to create a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The moon's journey around the house is symbolic of the cyclical nature of life, and the poem's musicality and consistency in structure reinforce this theme. Dickinson's use of metaphors and personification gives the moon a life of its own, making it more than just a celestial body but a living entity with a personality and emotions. This classic poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and stir the soul, and it will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.

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